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Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program

Inspire operational excellence

MIT is ranked #2 by US News & World Report in their list of Best Global Universities

Total Work Experience

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Develop the Strategic Edge for Operations Leadership

Amid growing disruption, be it geopolitical shifts, economic volatility, or the rapid evolution of technologies, including AI and automation, 75% of C-suite executives feel underprepared to lead. In a world where operational excellence is no longer enough, executives must rise as strategic, future-ready leaders.

MIT xPRO’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program is a 9- to 12-month learning journey designed to equip executives like you with the mindset, tools, and frameworks to lead with confidence and clarity. Whether you're preparing to step into the COO role or looking to sharpen your impact as a current operations leader, the curriculum will provide a blend of strategic thinking, leadership development, and systems-level insights needed to drive meaningful impact and resilience across your organization.


The program will equip you with the critical leadership framework needed to:

  • Assess your organization’s current business strategy and priorities to identify opportunities and threats and plan for organizational growth
  • Manage organizational change to align and execute initiatives that support your organization’s goals
  • Build a supportive organizational culture that fosters high-performing, cross-functional teams
  • Champion business transformation by adopting a data-driven approach to assessing and implementing tools, systems, and processes
  • Lead innovation and future-proof the business by leveraging emerging technologies


    • 900+

      empowered operational leaders across 30+ industries and 20+ functions

      83%

      of respondents agree that the program offers excellent value for money

      100%

      of respondents believe that the program has had a positive impact on their career and professional development

      Sources: PRCA Asia Pacific; Emeritus Impact Survey 2024

Testimonials

"I really enjoyed all the short lectures and the camaraderie I gained with my peers. I was able to apply the theory learned to my daily work life. I'm glad I committed to this cohort and put in the ti...
Andrew Le
Andrew Le
MBA, AAP, APRP, Chief Operating Officer, Police Federal Credit Union
"This was a really good course. I learned a lot and enjoyed not only the topics but learning from the other participants. There was a good rhythm to the course - not too much work as long as I didn't ...
Alice Ting
Alice Ting
VP & Director, Content Partnerships and Licensing, dmg media
"Enrolling in the Certificate Program for Chief Operating Officers by MIT xPro, in collaboration with Emeritus, proved to be both a challenge and an incredibly rewarding experience. The program’s core...
Bob Desrochers, Registered Representative, NYLIFE Securities LLC
Bob Desrochers
Registered Representative, NYLIFE Securities LLC

Past Participant Profile

Top Industries

Top 10 Industries

Work Experience

Work Experience

Where Past Learners Come From

Disclaimer: All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of product and company names does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by the holders.

The list of companies is only indicative and not exhaustive.

Key Program Features

Expert Faculty

Expert Faculty

Gain insights from world-renowned faculty who are experts in organizational strategy, leadership, and technology.

Executive Reflection

Executive Reflection

Curate your program insights to develop over-arching executive reflections that will serve as a resource for application in your organization.

Flexible Learning Journey

Flexible Learning Journey

Customize the learning journey with a choice of topical electives to gain skills specific to career goals.

Success Coach

Success Coach

Craft your learning journey in line with your career goals with a success coach assigned to your cohort.

Self-Paced Learning

Self-Paced Learning

Access recorded faculty sessions that provide the flexibility to learn at your own pace and convenience.

AI Speaker Sessions (Live Online)

  • AI for Strategy—Rethinking Competitive Advantage in the Age of AI: Understand how AI is reshaping strategy fundamentals, including market positioning, resource allocation, and value creation.

  • Generative AI and Strategy Reinvention: Examine how generative AI influences strategy formulation, innovation pipelines, and customer value across industries.

  • Agentic AI: Learn how agentic AI can streamline operations, automate complex processes, and embed AI-driven decision-making within enterprises.

  • Geopolitical Risk Management in Tech Strategy: Gain frameworks for navigating geopolitical risks with a focus on supply chain resilience and regulatory requirements.

  • Boardroom Readiness: Prepare leaders for governance, risk management, ethical deployment, and innovation oversight in an AI-driven era.

*Live session schedules are subject to change based on speaker availability.

Learning Journey

This 9- to 12-month learning journey includes a combination of self-paced modules and live interaction.

MO-COO Learning Journey Desktop Version 1440x250 15.09.24

Curriculum

The comprehensive curriculum will equip you to think holistically about your organization’s business needs and develop strategies to drive growth and create value. The expertly developed online and live online curriculum structured around three core pillars, spread over 19 weeks on strategy, business transformation, and leadership. You will learn through a mix of online sessions, video lectures, guest speaker sessions, and weekly assignments.

Note: 

The program duration of 26 weeks excludes 2 weeks of orientation and break weeks between modules.

The list of topics and live session schedule are subject to change.

Electives

To supplement your core program learning, you will choose two electives aligned with your professional goals and organizational challenges. These electives are designed to explore practical strategies that enhance your skill set and help advance your career. Each elective is taught over 6 to 10 weeks. The choice of electives includes:

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Designing and Building AI Products and Services:

Gain the strategic and technical insight needed to turn AI opportunities into practical solutions that drive competitive advantage.

Decorative image relating to Internet of Things (IoT) — Design and Applications

Internet of Things (IoT) — Design and Applications:

Learn how to evaluate, implement, and lead IoT initiatives that unlock new efficiencies, enhance operations, and enable innovative business models.

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Supply Chain Management: Leading with AI and Digital Transformation:

Develop the capabilities to lead digital transformation across complex supply chain networks, enabling greater agility, visibility, and resilience across your organization and its partners.

Note: All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of MIT xPRO.

On-Campus Networking Event | 2 days

Join the program faculty and your peers from your cohort in person on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts for an optional two-day networking event. This gathering offers the unique opportunity to connect not only with your peers but also with professionals from other cohorts, helping to build a lifelong network of global executives.

MIT xPRO Networking Event Group Photo
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SLP-MO-COO-Networking Image 3

Note: A registration fee of US$250 is applicable. The event will not necessarily be held immediately after program module completion.

Case Studies

Decorative image relating to CRISPR Therapeutics’ Strategy

CRISPR Therapeutics’ Strategy

Gain insights into navigating uncertainty and scaling innovation by examining how CRISPR Therapeutics leveraged strategic partnerships and operational agility to lead in the competitive biotech space. Learn how to apply these lessons to balance long-term vision with real-time execution in fast-changing industries.

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Thai Flooding Impact Spreads Across World for Toyota (Reuters)

Learn how to assess and manage supply chain risk through the lens of Toyota’s response to the 2011 Thailand floods. Apply systems thinking principles, including Little’s Law, the Bullwhip effect, and network modelling, to build more resilient, disruption-ready operations.

Decorative image relating to  Monte Carlo Simulation: What It Is, How It Works, History, 4 Key Steps

Monte Carlo Simulation: What It Is, How It Works, History, 4 Key Steps (Will Kenton – Investopedia)

Explore how to identify and manage fragility in complex systems by examining real-world Black Swan events. Learn to use simulation tools, including Monte Carlo modelling, to forecast risk and make better decisions in high-uncertainty environments.

Decorative image relating to Bull Automotive Inc. – Cesim Global Challenge

Bull Automotive Inc. – Cesim Global Challenge

Step into the role of a decision-maker at a global automotive firm navigating the shift to hybrid, electric, and hydrogen vehicles for this simulation activity. Practice making strategic choices across R&D, operations, finance, and sustainability, developing the skills to lead through market shifts, regulatory pressure, and innovation challenges in a complex global landscape.

Faculty Director

David Niño
DAVID NINO

Senior Lecturer and Senior Program Manager, Daniel J. Riccio Graduate Program in Engineering Leadership

David Niño, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in the Bernard M. Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program, where he heads leadership education for graduate students across the Insti...

Meet the Faculty

The program is designed and delivered by renowned faculty who bring their cutting-edge expertise on key technology accelerators, combined with principles of organizational strategy and leadership. The cross-functional faculty are drawn from MIT’s Mechanical Engineering Department, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and AeroAstro Department, as well as the MIT School of Management. You will also participate in sessions, where you will have the opportunity to engage with guest speakers, the success coach and visiting faculty who are subject matter experts.

Deborah L. Ancona
Deborah L. Ancona

Seley Distinguished Professor of Management at the MIT School of Management

Hamsa Balakrishnan
Hamsa Balakrishnan

William E. Leonhard (1940) Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT

Edward F. Crawley
Edward F. Crawley

Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT

D. Fox Harrell
D. Fox Harrell

Professor of Digital Media and Artificial Intelligence at MIT

John Van Maanen
John Van Maanen

Erwin H. Schell Professor of Management Emeritus Professor, Organization Studies

Bryan R. Moser
Bryan R. Moser

Academic Director and Sr. Lecturer, System Design and Management(SDM). Associate Director, Engineering Systems Lab

Ray Reagans
Ray Reagans

Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Management. Professor, Work and Organization Studies. Associate Deanfor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Alberto Rodriguez
Alberto Rodriguez

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT; Class of 1957 Career Development Professor

Daniela Rus
Daniela Rus

Andrew (1956) and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Maria Jesus Saenz
Maria Jesus Saenz

Director, MIT Digital Supply Chain Transformation Lab Executive Director, MIT SCM Master's Program

Sanjay Sarma
Sanjay Sarma

Fred Fort Flowers (1941) and Daniel Fort Flowers (1941) Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT

Julie Shah
Julie Shah

Associate Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT

Lawrence Susskind
Lawrence Susskind

Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at MIT

Note: Faculty list is subject to change.

Success Coaches

ALI O’MALLEY
ALI O’MALLEY

PhD, ACC

Dr. O’Malley has nearly 20 years of experience partnering with senior leaders across industries. Ali specializes in the design and implementation of interventions to help lead...

 LAUREN VALENCIA
LAUREN VALENCIA

Certified ICF coach

The bulk of Lauren’s experience has been in tech with over 27 years in the corporate environment. She led several teams at Verizon in her 22 years of service primarily in Prod...

MELISSA NORCROSS
MELISSA NORCROSS

PhD, MBA

Melissa Norcross is an accomplished strategy executive, having held leadership positions at organizations ranging from Fortune 100 to high growth technology companies. Melissa...

Seamless Learning, Anywhere

Who Is It For?

The COO Program is ideal for:

  • Newly appointed COOs at mid-to-large organizations who are tasked with implementing new processes and initiatives that optimize current business operations

  • Heads of operations, vice presidents, and other senior executives looking to gain executive leadership skills and advance into C-level positions

Participants are required to have:

  • Minimum 10 years of work experience

  • Fluency in written and spoken English

  • International exposure (preferred)

Certificate

Certificate

Upon successful completion of this program, MIT xPRO grants a verified certificate of completion to participants. In addition to the certificate, participants will also earn 15.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). These CEUs quantify the time you have invested in structured learning as part of your professional development.

Note: All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of MIT xPRO.

FAQs

Connect With a Program Advisor for a 1:1 Session

Our program advisors have helped senior executives across the world choose the right program for their career goals. Schedule a one-on-one to get a deeper understanding on why the COO Program is the right fit for you.

Email: mit_coo@emeritus.org

Phone: +1 646 713 0918 (U.S.) / +44 1156 471388 (U.K.) / +971 80 0035704133 (U.A.E.) / +52 55965 38957 (LATAM) / 000 8009191979 (India) / +65 3138 4749 (S.G.)

Early applications are encouraged. Admissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Flexible payment options available.

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